The Environmental Protection Agency has approved the use of E15 for all vehicles manufactured in 2001 or later. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, http://1.usa.gov/1hNujSg)

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, biofuels in the U.S. support over 280,000 jobs. (IRENA, May 2015, http://bit.ly/1B9XM1s) Some sources place that number closer to 800,000. (Fuels America, http://bit.ly/19lnbNE)

Annual U.S. crude oil imports have dropped by over 1 billion barrels since the Renewable Fuel Standard was enhanced in 2007. (U.S. Energy Information Administration, September 2013, http://1.usa.gov/1gqUBJh)

Biofuels production lowered gasoline price for drivers by an average of $1.09 in 2011, according to Iowa State University's Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. (Iowa State University, May 2012, http://bit.ly/JJyJJl)

The U.S. has enough annual biomass potential to sustainably replace over 30% of U.S. petroleum consumption with biofuels. (U.S. Department of Energy, April 2014, http://1.usa.gov/1RtWSpT)

Thanks to the Renewable Fuel Standard, the first cellulosic ethanol plant in the U.S. came online last year. POET-DSM’s Project Liberty will produce 25 million gallons of renewable fuel from non-food farm waste annually (Financial Times, September 2014, http://on.ft.com/1RtYHDa)

By 2022, the advanced biofuels industry is expected to produce $150 billion of economic output and support 800,000 jobs in the U.S. (Bio Economic Research Associates, February 2009, http://bit.ly/MqpCE7)

Since 1976, the United States has spent $8 trillion defending its oil interests in the Persian Gulf alone. (Energy Policy, January 2010, http://bit.ly/MgdVz2)

According to the financial advisory firm Lazard, wind energy is the cheapest source of electricity in the United States, regardless of subsidies. (Lazard, September 2014, http://bit.ly/16JaWtm)

Lazard also found that utility-scale solar, geothermal energy, biomass, and energy efficiency are already cost competitive with natural gas and coal, even without subsidies. (Lazard, September 2014, http://bit.ly/16JaWtm)

The average U.S. wind power purchase agreement signed in 2013 was for $0.025 per kW/h. That’s about 1/4th of the average retail price for electricity in the U.S. (U.S. Department of Energy, August 2014, http://1.usa.gov/1Gagp6R)

The price of solar energy dropped by 80% from 2008 to 2013. (IRENA, September 2014, http://bit.ly/1GmbLbm)

Over half of the price of solar installations now comes from “soft costs” – not the equipment or panels. (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, October 2013, http://1.usa.gov/17E9tot)

On average, saving a kW/h with energy efficiency measures is over 60% cheaper than generating a kW/h. (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, http://bit.ly/1hir2uU)

Washington state enjoys the lowest electricity prices in the nation. Not coincidentally, over 75% of its electricity comes from hydropower. (U.S. Energy Information Administration, Januarty 2015, http://1.usa.gov/1NnfDaA)

Deutsche Bank expects solar to reach grid parity in all 50 states by the end of next year. (Bloomberg, October 2014, http://bloom.bg/1OKqXyb)

According to the Energy Information Administration, geothermal energy will be the cheapest source of electricity in 2019 at nearly half the price of coal. (U.S. Energy Information Administration, April 2015, http://1.usa.gov/1wWvTgE)

In 2013, Massachusetts’ 3 largest utilities agreed to purchase 565 MW of wind energy – enough to power 170,000 homes – at prices cheaper than coal and nuclear. The deal will save ratepayers anywhere from $0.75 to $1.00 a month. (The Boston Globe, September 2013, http://b.globe.com/16SwUXv)

Last year, Grand River Dam Authority agreed to purchase 100 megawatts from an Oklahoman wind farm. The deal is expected to save ratepayers over $50 million. (The Oklahoman, September 2014, http://bit.ly/1umlSUE)

The largest single solar plant in Texas will sell electricity to Austin Energy for just $0.05 per kW/h when it goes online next year. The average retail price of electricity in Texas is $0.11 per kW/h. (Greentech Media, May 2014, http://bit.ly/1IMqnOD)

In 2012, the PTC spurred $25 million of investment in the U.S. wind energy sector. (Joint Committee on Taxation, February 2013, http://1.usa.gov/1EXwD4W)

The ITC provides a 126% average return on investment to the federal government over the life of a solar project. (U.S. Partnership for Renewable Energy Finance, July 2012, http://bit.ly/1vlotSl)

The U.S. solar industry has added 128,000 employees since the ITC was passed in 2005. (Solar Electric Industry Association, http://bit.ly/1qi0yll)

The wind industry supports 51,000 jobs in the U.S. That’s 30,000 fewer jobs than it supported in 2012 due to Congressional inaction. (International Renewable Energy Agency, May 2014, http://bit.ly/1EUh3Fa)

Only 4 major energy-related tax credits are permanent. Three are for fossil fuels; the fourth is for nuclear. (U.S. Congressional Budget Office, March 2012, http://1.usa.gov/1t0sHb5)

The PTC has expired 5 times over the last 16 years. (American Wind Energy Association, http://bit.ly/ZOMEL1)

If the PTC is not extended, annual U.S. wind energy deployment will be 3.7 GW – 5.7 GW lower than the average deployment from 2008-2012. (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, April 2014, http://1.usa.gov/1ya3PC6)

Wind energy generation capacity added in the U.S. fell by 92% in 2013 after the PTC expired. (American Wind Energy Association, http://bit.ly/ZOMEL1)

If the ITC expires in 2016, it will take the U.S. solar industry 6 years to return to pre-2016 levels of deployment. (Bloomberg, October 2014, http://buswk.co/1vkupeJ)

There are 560 manufacturing plants for wind energy components in the U.S. (American Wind Energy Association, http://bit.ly/1HdiJh0)

Eliminating the 12 subsidies for fossil fuels in the U.S. would save $41.4 billion over 10 years without increasing fuel prices, reducing employment, or weakening U.S. energy security. (Brookings Institute, February 2013, http://bit.ly/1h3mDhB)

Fossil fuels received $550 billion in subsidies worldwide last year. That’s 4x more than renewables. (Washington Post, November 2014, http://wapo.st/1v7RVLf)

The oil and gas industries have received approximately $446.96 billion in subsidies from the U.S., as opposed to just $5.93 billion for renewables, since 1918. (DBL Investors, September 2011, http://bit.ly/N9Isin)

]]>nelander@acore.org ()Fact ChecksTue, 18 Nov 2014 01:01:30 -0500Renewable energy is just as harmful to the environment as fossil fuels.http://www.energyfactcheck.org/fact-checks/renewable-energy-is-just-as-harmful-to-the-environment-as-fossil-fuels
http://www.energyfactcheck.org/fact-checks/renewable-energy-is-just-as-harmful-to-the-environment-as-fossil-fuels

Less than .1% of all bird fatalities in North America are attributable to wind turbines. (USA Today, September 2014, http://usat.ly/XvbNsO)

Wind energy permanently disturbs less than 1 acre of land per megawatt produced. (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, August 2009, http://1.usa.gov/1o9idKR)

The production of renewable energy equipment and materials does not increase carbon emissions or pollution. And only 2 years’ worth of global copper supply is necessary to meet the world’s energy needs with renewable energy by 2050. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, September 2014, http://bit.ly/1u11J3P)

60% of Americans live in regions where an EV produces fewer global warming emissions than the most efficient gasoline-hybrid vehicle. (Union of Concerned Scientists, September 2014, http://bit.ly/XC1H9M)

The overall reduction in emissions from increased renewable energy deployment more than offsets the requisite increase in fossil fuel plant emissions from power plant cycling. (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, September 2013, http://1.usa.gov/1xPbypy)

The U.S. EPA’s Clean Power Plan will yield $55 billion - $93 billion in health benefits when it is fully implemented, preventing 2,700 to 6,600 premature deaths and 140,000 to 150,000 asthma attacks a year. (Washington Post, June 2, http://wapo.st/1rVhqYM)

Refining a gallon of ethanol requires half as much water as refining a gallon of gasoline. (Regional Water Supply Planning Committee, http://bit.ly/1Dr27jb)

The U.S. can decrease power-sector water consumption by 85% if it meets 80% of its energy demand with renewables and energy efficiency from 2014-2050. (Union of Concerned Scientists, July 2013, http://bit.ly/1w0Hff5)

Generating 80% of the world’s electricity from clean energy sources by 2050 would keep atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration at a safe and manageable level. This would cost only 1% of global GDP annually. (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, May 2012, http://bit.ly/1DiTUNV)

By 2022, the advanced biofuels industry is expected to produce $150 billion of economic output and support 800,000 jobs in the U.S. (Bio Economic Research Associates, February 2009, http://bit.ly/MqpCE7)

The four cellulosic ethanol plants scheduled to come online in 2014 represent nearly $1 billion in investment and will produce 83.75 million gallons of advanced biofuels per year. (Fuels America, April 2014, http://bit.ly/1nxnOVv)

The 27 advanced biofuel facilities now scheduled for construction will create up to 47,000 jobs by 2016. (U.S. Department of Energy, February 2013, http://1.usa.gov/1BbJBKu)

POET’s Project Liberty will generate up to $37.8 billion in economic activity and employ more than 2,800 people over the next 20 years. (Iowa Office of Energy Independence and the Iowa Power Fund, December 2010, http://bit.ly/1qoSZH3)

The U.S. has 1.3 billion tons of annual biomass potential, enough to sustainably replace over 30% of U.S. petroleum consumption with biofuels. (U.S. Department of Energy, http://1.usa.gov/1A6tZ8I)

The U.S. can produce 75 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol by 2030 at costs competitive with gasoline that sells for $2.65 or more at the pump. (Sandia National Laboratory, http://bit.ly/1nwIzk4)

According to a lifecycle analysis by the EPA, cellulosic ethanol results in 60% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline. (U.S. EPA, February 2010, http://1.usa.gov/1lyMyB9)

Biodiesel production in 2012 reduced U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 10 million metric tons. (LMC International, November 2013, http://bit.ly/1fngGte)

Researchers affiliated with the Argonne National Laboratory found that cellulosic ethanol produced from corn stover reduces greenhouse gas emissions 90%-103% compared to gasoline. (Environmental Research Letters, http://bit.ly/1r0zIYS)

]]>nelander@acore.org ()Fact ChecksThu, 04 Sep 2014 00:32:18 -0400Energy efficiency measures are too costly and won't make a difference in how much energy we consume.http://www.energyfactcheck.org/fact-checks/energy-efficiency-measures-are-too-costly-and-won-t-make-a-difference-in-how-much-energy-we-consume
http://www.energyfactcheck.org/fact-checks/energy-efficiency-measures-are-too-costly-and-won-t-make-a-difference-in-how-much-energy-we-consume

Energy efficiency currently supports 823,105 direct jobs in the U.S. (Environmental and Energy Study Institute, June 2013, http://bit.ly/1gMZdeo)

Over 50% of all energy produced in the U.S. is wasted due to inefficiency. (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, May 2013, http://1.usa.gov/OWDwz3)

In 2011, there was $300 million of investment in the energy efficiency industry. That's as much investment as there was in oil, coal, and gas technologies combined. (International Energy Agency, October 2013, http://bit.ly/1iADhmJ)

Since 1974, the amount of "avoided energy" – energy that would have been consumed were it not for energy conservation efforts – is equivalent to 2/3rds of annual energy consumption. (The Economist, March 2014, http://econ.st/1bPqc9J)

The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2014, the comprehensive energy efficiency legislation proposed by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Rob Portman, would create 190,000 jobs and save consumers a cumulative $99.5 billion by 2030. The legislation would not add to the deficit. (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, February 2014, http://bit.ly/1fQdCC5)

90% of the energy used by incandescent light bulbs is wasted in the form of heat. New standards for efficient light bulbs, signed into law by President Bush in 2007, will save consumers $6 billion in 2015 alone. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, http://1.usa.gov/1gwrRPU)

The average cost of energy efficiency measures per kilowatt-hour saved is $0.025 per kW/h. That's over 33% cheaper than the average cost necessary to generate a kW/h. (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, http://bit.ly/1hir2uU)

Demand response techniques were expected to save ratepayers in the Chicago area an average of $200 per person in 2013. (The Chicago Tribune, May 2013, http://bit.ly/1fk2rlk)

If all commercial and industrial buildings in the U.S. improved at the rate of the Department of Energy's "Better Buildings" energy efficiency program, savings would total $80 billion annually by 2023. (Department of Energy, May 2013, http://1.usa.gov/1ncGNco)

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification can reduce energy and water consumption by up to 40%. (U.S. Green Building Council, http://bit.ly/1fk2rlk)

By 2009, energy efficiency programs across the U.S. avoided the need for 16 gigawatts of new electricity generation capacity, saving money for ratepayers. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, September 2009, http://1.usa.gov/1geoC0M)

If the U.S. Government adopted an NPV-positive (in which income/savings over the life of the program outweigh the initial cost) energy efficiency plan, the U.S. could reduce energy consumption by 23% by 2020. (McKinsey & Company, July 2009, http://bit.ly/N0Ydbj)

Energy efficiency measures can achieve 50% of the United States' target for greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2050. (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, July 2009, http://bit.ly/1kaUmod)

Energy efficiency measures are expected to make up 44% of international carbon reduction targets by 2035. (International Energy Agency, http://bit.ly/1kCUTSx)

The Department of Defense currently has nearly 700 renewable projects operating across its bases, generating 7% of its energy needs. (ACORE, February 2014, http://bit.ly/V4JHU1)

The Department of Defense has a goal to derive 25% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025. (U.S. Department of Defense, 2010, http://1.usa.gov/SosDHJ)

One out of eight U.S. Army casualties in Iraq was the result of protecting fuel convoys. That’s over 3,000 troops. (CNN Money, August 2011, http://cnnmon.ie/1pkJF7e)

The Department of Defense had $3 billion in unplanned expenses from 2011-2012 because of fluctuations in the price of fuel. (Congressional Research Service, December 2012, http://bit.ly/1sttumE)

Portable solar power can function in island mode, limiting the need for costly and dangerous fuel resupply missions that put forward-mission personnel at risk. (SEIA, May 2013, http://bit.ly/1pGF8KP)

99% of the over 500 military installations in the U.S. depend on the commercial electric grid. (Business Executives for National Security, October 2012, http://bit.ly/RBTqPG)

In 2012, the Department of Defense reported 87 power outages of eight hours or more at its bases. (Center for National Policy, April 2014, http://bit.ly/1nUWWzq)

According to the Defense Science Board, the Department of Defense’s “almost complete dependence” on a vulnerable commercial power grid is a primary energy challenge for the nation’s military. (U.S. Defense Science Board, http://1.usa.gov/SfjK2I)

In 2009, the Pentagon paid an average of $400 to put a gallon of fuel into a combat vehicle or aircraft in Afghanistan. (The Hill, October 2009, http://bit.ly/1nuIVN8)

An Energy Savings Performance Contract at Fort Buchanon, Puerto Rico will reduce the fort’s energy demand by 30% and potable water demand by 60%. (U.S. Army, August 2014, http://1.usa.gov/1om4Jo9)

The first Navy ship to deploy using a hybrid-electric propulsion system, the USS Makin Island, will save $250 million on fuel costs over its lifecycle. (U.S. Navy, April 2012, http://1.usa.gov/1lI47t9)

An energy efficiency partnership between Tinker Air Force and Honeywell will save the base $170 million over 20 years. (The Oklahoman, October 2012, http://bit.ly/1lRGXzR)

Every $10 rise in the price of a barrel of oil costs the Department of Defense $1.3 billion – more than the entire procurement budget of the Marines. (Joint Force Quarterly, April 2010, http://bit.ly/1wm1S6v)

Thanks to investments in energy efficiency, the Department of Defense has decreased its energy consumed per gross square foot of its buildings by 17.7% since 2003. (Pew Charitable Trusts, January 2014, http://bit.ly/1pgHmiB)

The Department of Defense acknowledges that climate change is a threat to national security and is a key driver of international volatility. Retired Navy Vice Admiral Lee Gunn attributes climate change as a contributing factor to the civil war in Syria. (NBC News, May 2014, http://nbcnews.to/1nC9nRJ)

Renewables will make the military more effective. According to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, the only reason the military is investing in renewable energy to “become better warfighters.” (Slate, April 2014, http://slate.me/1rJZ287)

In 2012, military installations were home to more than 50% of the microgrid projects underway in the U.S. Microgrids allow bases to consume energy more intelligently and allows them to function off the grid, which reduces vulnerability. (Metering International, January 2014, http://bit.ly/1kgX606)

According to NREL, the U.S. can generate 54 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, powering 42 million homes and spurring $200 billion in economic activity in the process. (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, September 2010, http://1.usa.gov/1kAapdM)

Adding 54 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 would have a minimal impact on electricity prices. In fact, according to one study, such an intense ramp up of offshore wind would only raise U.S. electricity rates by 0.2% - 1.7%. (The Brattle Group, February 2013, http://bit.ly/1qOJ8bk)

Total offshore wind energy potential in the U.S. is 4,223 gigawatts. That's more than 4x the amount of electricity currently consumed in the U.S. (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, July 2012, http://1.usa.gov/1kA5UQo)

About 1/3rd of all U.S. electricity demand can be met by the offshore wind resources off the coast of the eastern United States. (Wind Energy Journal, July 2012, http://stanford.io/1l91GiH)

An offshore wind energy site with an average wind speed of 16 mph would produce 50% more electricity than an onshore wind energy site with the same turbine and average wind speeds of 14 mph. (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, July 2013, http://1.usa.gov/WFjVUC)

Areas off the Atlantic coast already designated for offshore wind energy could generate up to 16,000 megawatts per year, enough to power more than 5 million homes, without negatively impacting the environment or marine life. (National Wildlife Federation, July 2014, http://bit.ly/1jUa8HR)

When projects are sited correctly and mitigation measures are followed, offshore wind energy does not have a significant impact on the marine environment. (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, http://1.usa.gov/1nfO3UN)

Renewable energy technologies are increasingly able to do more with less investment. For example, the world invested less money in solar energy in 2013 than in 2012, but still added 39 gigawatts of capacity, 8 more than in 2012. (United Nations Environment Program, April 2014, http://bit.ly/1kD4SE3)

Increased investment in wind energy and solar energy has led to a reduction in equipment costs by 43% and 80%, respectively, over the last 4 years. (U.S. Partnership for Renewable Energy Finance, April 2014, http://bit.ly/1iiosb9)

Clean energy investment in the 1st quarter of 2014 grew by 9% compared to the 1st quarter of 2013. (Bloomberg, April 2014, http://bloom.bg/P4Xs1K)

128 companies and 49 investors, representing over $800 billion in assets, recently sent an open letter to President Obama expressing support for the EPA's Clean Power Plan. (Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy, June 2014, http://bit.ly/1gYMpV7)

Berkshire Hathaway intends to double the amount of money it has invested in renewable energy. Currently, the conglomerate has $15 billion invested in renewable energy. (Houston Chronicle, June 2013, http://bit.ly/1iSsLWw)

Global solar energy investment is $100 million. The U.S. is the third largest solar market in the world. (USA Today, June 2014, http://usat.ly/1n1Mndp)

In the last year, the value of Solar City has more than doubled, and solar stocks have soared. In fact, research firm RW Baird named solar stocks their "favorite subsector of 2014." (CNBC, January 2014, http://cnb.cx/1cVBPZL)

NYSERDA, New York's Green Bank, raised over $24 million in its first ever clean energy bond offering. (NYSERDA, August 2013, http://on.ny.gov/1lTI3KO)

Thanks to an innovative combination of power-purchase-agreements and government-backed bonds, New Jersey's Morris County has invested in renewable energy with electricity rates 35% to 60% lower than those offered from a local utility. (Brookings Institute, April 2014, http://bit.ly/1l8uR6s)

70% of Americans support government regulations on the carbon emissions of existing power plants. (Washington Post, June 2014, http://wapo.st/1DTqBBX)

By 2030, the EPA’s rules can create over 274,000 jobs and save consumers $37.4 billion on their electricity bills. (The Hill, May 2014, http://bit.ly/1tWr1T2)

The EPA expects electricity costs to be 8% lower by 2030 because of the Clean Power Plan. (USEPA, June 2014, http://1.usa.gov/1tBo74b)

Last year, the average price of wholesale wind energy in the Midwestern U.S. was 2.1 cents per kW/h. (Energy & Policy Institute, May 2014, http://bit.ly/TejBNT) For context, the average retail price of electricity in the U.S. was 10.3 cents in March, 2014. (U.S. Energy Information Administration, May 2014, http://1.usa.gov/1gZaJoH)

Conserving a kW/h of electricity with energy efficiency measures generally costs around 66% less than it does to generate a kW/h of electricity. (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, September 2009, http://bit.ly/1hir2uU)

Over 50% of all energy produced in the U.S. is wasted due to inefficiency. (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, May 2013, http://1.usa.gov/OWDwz3)

Coal-fired power plants are the largest source of carbon emissions in the United States; in 2012, coal was responsible for 24.5% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, http://bit.ly/Suzv6d)

From 2010 to 2012, the cost of complying with the 24 state-level renewable portfolio standards in the U.S. amounted to just 1% of retail electricity rates. (Denver Post, June 2014, http://bit.ly/1rLamEo)

The EPA’s Clean Power Plan is expected to annually deliver $55 billion to $93 billion worth of health benefits by 2030. (USEPA, June 2014, http://1.usa.gov/1i1rn3t)

The EPA’s Clean Power Plan will prevent 2,700 to 6,600 deaths and up to 150,000 asthma attacks per year. (CNN, June 2014, http://cnn.it/1opq9CS)